Permanent-magnet damping assembly for integrating meters



y 29, 1952 T. D. BARNES 2,605,301

PERMANENT-MAGNET DAMPING ASSEMBLY FOR INTEGRATING METERS Filed Dec. 28, 1946 2 Sl-IEETS- -Sl-IEET 1 Fig.5. Fig: 7.

127 :7 9/ 8.9, g 8/ AI & 5 g I?! E E i 5 N #JA'l/l/ll/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/Ad/l/ WfJM W ATTORNEY y 29, 1952 T. D. BARNES 2,605,301

PERMANENT-MAGNET DAMPING ASSEMBLY FOR INTEGRATING METERS Filed Dec. 28. 1946 2 Sl-lEETS-Si-IEET 2 WiTNESSES: 1. lNVENTOR 54 momswmw ATTORNEY Patented July 29, 1952 imRMANE nMAGNET DAMP'ING s sEMBLY FOR INTEGRATING METERS whomasD. Barnes, Glen Ridge, N. J ass'ignor -t'o Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East:Pitts'-. -burgh,-Pa., a'corporation of Pennsylvania 'Application'D'ecember 2s, 1946,'Se'rial No. 718,914

' 15 Claims.

. 1 I This invention relates to 'iiermaneht inagnet assemblies and it has particular relation to permanent-magnetassembliessuitable-for-damping the rotationof electroconduc'tivedisc-s;

Permanent-magnet assemblies are widely employed in the art for "the purpose 'otdamping movement or rotation of the moving element'of various devices, such as relays, amm'eters, voltpose of discussion, theinventionwilllbedescribed With reference to permanent=magnetassemblies associated with watthour meters' ior thepurpose of damping rotation of "-the ro'th'r i assembly ofthe "watthour meters." I e In order to understand the problems solved-by the invention, the desiderata for a 'satis'fac'story permanent-magnet assembly designed 'for damping purposes'areset forth briefly. sinee awatthour meter is designed to measure accurately the energy utilizedin ail-electrical eiiit',=itis-desi'rable that certain adjustments be provided. Conventionally' one fof these'adjustm'ents' is included in the'permanent maignet damping-assembly. This adjustment not only "shouldhave-adesirable that the :permane'nama 'netassembl be removable from the associated watthour meter Without afiecting -the'- o'alibration adjustmentthereof. 1 1

External electromagneticfields of the direct or alternating typesinay introduce an error in the dampin o'fthe permanent-magnet assembly.

i reason. 'it' is -desirable that l adequatel Shielding chnelds be included in the permanent-magnet assembly. -It should be noted further that it is undesirable to" vary the flux dis- I tribution in certainpermanent-magnet material.

such a variation innuxdistribution may perma- 'nently affect the magnetization-fifthe permanent magnet involved. It isalso desirable that the permanent-magnet assembly be compact and rigid in constlllctibflfalid that itbe capable of 1 low -cost manufacture'andservicing;

In the prior art, permanent magnets for damping assemblies have been constructed of both lowand highe'oerei've materials. As "examples of ermanent-magnet assemblies suitable for per:

mane'nt magnets eonstruet'ed of w coercive material, reference may be made tothe La'u ffer Patent 1,834,049 and the Wey Patent' 2;308;756. Tungsten and chi'omiu'm-- rmanent-magnet steels are of the-low eoercivetypa nn example tot-a permanent-magnet uamping'rassembly Utiliz:

assembly. For example, a magnetic shunt has 7 been employed for shunting magnetic' fl ux away meters and wattmeters' Howeverffor'the purquate range, butit should be adjustable WithinLfifi the range in small increments in order to assure accuracy of adjustment In addition it'is deing a high coercive rm terialei's round in my Patent 2,284,893. I

Numerous procedures =have been adopted in the prior art for adjusting the-degree of damping introduced by a'permanen't-ma'gnet damping from the associated watthour meter disc. Such a shunt is very satisfactory for coercive permanent-magnet materials but it is di fiicult to obtainwith'the usual shunt an adequaterange of adjustment for high coercive permanent-magnet materials.-

As shown inm y aforesaid Lpatent, it :is possible to adjust a ermanent-ma net:dampm assemblyby varying a gap i-n serie's with the permanent magnet for the purpose of adjusting the magnetic reluctance ofier'ed to" the flow of magnetic flux produced by the associated permanent magnet. With such anadjustment anadequate range of adjustment isobtainable. a

[As a further example :of adjustment suitable for permanent-magnet damping assemblies, reference may be made to the adjustment of the permanent-magnet damping assem-bly bodily in a radial direction relative to the' axisofrotation of the watthour meter disc. Unfortunatlycommercially available permanent'e'rnagnet damping assemblies which are iadjustable 'in this manner lose their adjustmentwhenthe permanent-magnet damping assembly is'removedrfrom the associated watthour meterffor. servicing orother pur- DOSBS. l. I

.In accordancetwith the inventiomazpermanentmagnet damping assembly :is aprov'i'ded wherein a permanent magnetihaszaifixedima'gnetic armature associated."thei'ewithif. This armature includes av nonmagnetic z'gap which i's' rshuntjetl by an adjustable magnetic shunt; Silt should mbe noted that such a shuntrdoesfi no't '3iivert magnetic flux away :from :the'. associated rwatthour meter disc, but does change the amountzof, magnetic fl-11x cuttingpthe 1di'sc. -In':a Jpreferred embodiment of the inventioniapermanent magnet damping assembly includes a ,magnetic eshie ld and an electroconduotive' shieldixwhi'ch protect the permanent magnet from vexternal. directiand alternating magnetic-fields. Iniaccordancewith a further aspectof'thednvention, theiperman'ent-- magnet dampingtassembly 'is adjusta radially with 'respe'ct'to the axis of -tiie associatedwatthour meter 'dlse ana 1s -ren i'ovafble from the associated watthoui 'm etei" wnhcut loss of adjustment thereofl 'I h'e invention also cbn'template'sc the utilization o'f deiormatile mawherein:

fixed armature having a nonmagnetic gap is associated with a permanent magnet, andwherein an adjustable magnetic shunt ,is' provided for bridging the nonmagnetic-gap.

It is a further object of the invention to pro.-

vide an electroconductive holder constructed of material which may be deformed for rigidly uniting a permanent magnet to other parts of a permanent-magnet damping assembly;

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a permanent magnet damping assembly which is adjustable radially with respect to the axis of an associated watthour meter disc and which may be removed from operative position relative to the watthour meter disc without loss of calibration. v

, other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a watthour meter having a permanent-magnet damping assembly associated therewith,

Fig. 2 is a view infront elevation with parts broken away of a permanent-magnet damping assembly suitable: for, thewatthour meter of Figs. 3 and 4 are views in front elevation with parts broken away showing modified forms of permanent-magnet damping assemblies suitable for the watthour meterofFig. 1, I

Figs. 5 and '7 are views in section showing modified permanent-magnet structures.

VI-TVILOf Fig..5,, r

Fig; 8 is ,a view in front elevation with .parts broken away showing asuitable'adjustment for a permanent-magnet damping, assembly,

Fig.-9 is a view in top planwith parts broken away of the adjustment illustrated in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation with. parts broken away showing a furthermodification of a permanent-magnetdamping assembly suitable for thewatthour meter of. Fig. 1, and

, Fig, 11 is a view intop plan withparts broken away showing the permanent-magnet damping assembly of Fig. 10. 7

Referring to the drawings,Fig. 1 shows a supporting structure I having an electroconductive disc 3 mounted for rotation relative thereto .by means of. suitable bearing screws 5. The mechanism associated withthe disc 3 may be'employed for any suitable purpose, but as previously pointed out, it will be assumed to be a watthour meter. The watthour meter includes an electromagnet I having a .voltage winding 9 and current windings I I associated therewith for producing a shifting magnetic field when energized. This shifting magnetic field produces rotation of the electroconductivedisc 3 in a manner well understood in the-art.

The disc 3 also has associated therewith a damping magnet assembly I3. having a bracket I4 which conveniently may be detachably secured to the supporting structure I by means of machine screws I5. As well understood in the art, the damping assembly I3 provides a magnetic field through which the electroconductive disc 3 rotates. The purpose of the damping assembly is to retard rotation of the disc- As shown in Fig. 2, the damping. assembly I3 includes a U-shaped permanent magnet I! which may be constructed of any desired material. Conveniently, the permanent magnet may be constructed of ahigh coercive material such as a cobalt steel containing approximately 36% cobalt, or such as an iron alloy containing approximately aluminum, 12% nickel and 5% cobalt. The permanent magnet I! has spaced therefrom a fixed magnetic armature I9 which may be constructed of a magnetically soft iron or tion I9a is spaced from one pole face lid of the permanent magnet to define a first air gap 2Ia for the electroconductive disc 3. The portion [9b is spaced from a second pole face I'Ib of the permanent magnetto define a second air gap 2Ib for the disc For the purpose of establishinga'nonmagnetic gap, the portions I9 and IQb'may be spaced'by any non-magnetic material, such as brass. However, it will be assumed that the nonmagnetic gap is an air gap.

Polarity marking s f5? metr i1 p61e iv and the south pole S of the permanentjmagnet are magnetic armatureand returnsto thesouth pole of the permanentmagnet throughgthe disc 3,

As previouslypointed out,v it is desirable that dampi ma nets rov ded, wi h. a suita adjustment. Such an adjustmentis provided in 45.

Fig. 2 bya magnetic discorshunt This shunt is form d fa m t r al havinga'lowerz c c to magnetic'flux; than thatoffered by the gap 2|. Conveniently, the magneticshunt 23 may beformed of a plurality of laminations-of magnetically soft iron or; steel which are; suitably united to each other. g a

It should be noted thatthe magnetic shunt does not shunt'magnetic flux, awayfrom the air gaps 21. and 2H). the; magnetic'shunt approaches, the magneticg armature I9; "it: establishes a path of; relat-ivelylow reluctance across the gap 2I andjherebytends't -increaSe h m t c fie d intensity between t ma neticarmature and t he permanent;;magnet I]. For this reason, movementofthemagnetic shunt serves to adjustthe damping eifect'of the damping-magnet assembly. '3 Since the magnetic armature I 9 is in fixed,pqsitionwithrespect to the V permanent magnet; I I, movement of .the magnetic sirable for high coercive. permanent magnets.

. F r unitin the permanen magnet; ma ne i arma urei n' hunti g compact. and "ri idassembly, a holder 25 is provided for the permanent magnet I'I. This;holder-.,may:=bej cast aroundrthe permanent magnet, I1, if;desired,, butsconveniently the holder .may, be provided with an. openin Fig.3 cooperate in the same manner as the corresponding elements of Fig. 2, further discussion thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

Fig. 4 shows astill' further modification of. the damping-magnetassembly. In Fig. 4, amagnetic armature 65 has portions. 650; and 65b which correspond respectively to the portions 190. and l9b of Fig. 2. The portions 6 ccfland 65b'are secured to'a holder 61. of nonmagnetic material. This holder, together with the bracket 14, may

be 'cast as-a unitfrom a suitable nonmagnetic material, such'as an aluminum die casting alloy. It will bencted that the'magnetic shunt 23 has its screw 49 in threaded .engagement with the holder 61. f

A magnetic shield 69 is provided which corresponds to the magnetic shield 31 of Fig. '2. The magnetic shield 69 is secured to the holder 61 in anyl suitable manner as .by machine screws'll. V

A permanent magnet 13 is provided in the modification of Fig. 4 which differs somewhat from the permanent magnet l1 of Fig. 1. The permanent magnet 13 comprises two permanentmagnet parts 13a and 1311. These may have north poles N and south poles S, as indicated in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the lower pole pieces of the two parts 13a and 13b are magnetically connected through the magnetic shield 69. Consequently, the two parts 131:. and 13b, together with the connecting portion of the magnetic shield correspond to the permanent magnet i! of Fig. 2 and may be considered to form a resultant U-shaped permanent magnet. ,The permanent-magnet parts 13a. and 1312' are surrounded by' aholder 15 which conveniently may be secured to the magnetic shield by machine screws 11. Conveniently, the holder 15 may be formed of an electroconductive material, such as an aluminumdie casting alloy.

It will be noted that the faces of the parts 13a and 13b which are adjacent each other are inclined to provide a space therebetween which tapers from a large value adjacent the upper ends of the parts 'asviewed in Fig. 4 to a smaller value adjacent the' lower ends of the parts. A wedge 19 is disposed between'these inclined faces for the purpose of securing the parts 13a and 13b securely in operative "positions. The wedge 19 maybe-moved 'into positive wedging position by means of a machine screw 18 which passes through the magnetic field 69 and is in threaded engagement with the wedge 19. A temperature compensation strip 311; corresponds to the strip 3| of Fig. 2. Conveniently, the strip 3lu. maybe secured in position by inserting its ends between the wedge 19 and the parts 13a and 13b in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. It will'be understood that in accordance with conventional practice the strip 31a extends between portions of the resulting permanent-magnet unit which are at difierent magnetic potentials. It is believed that the operation of the modification illustratedin ,Fig. 4 will be apparent from the preceding discussion of Figs. 2 and 3.

' Other-configurations may be employed for the permanent magnets l1 and 13.

5 For example, a permanentmagnet is shownin Fig. 5 which is of a generally U-shapedconfiguration. This-permanent magnet has a tapered cross-section which is clearly indicated-in Fig. 6. A holder BI is provided which surrounds the permanent magnet so and which is secured to the magnetic shield 69 in any suitable manner'as by machine screws 5 83.- By inspection of Fig.'6, it will be noted that positioned between the permanent magnet 89 and the magnetic shield 69. 7

If desired, the permanent magnet 80 of Fig. 5 may be replaced .by two permanent magnets 81 and 89 having north poles N and south poles S, as indicatedin Fig. 7., These magnets are separated by a nonmagnetic spacer 9| which may be separate from, or integral with, the holder 8 I. The spacer 85. of Fig. 5 is not required for the modification of Fig. 7. The magnetic shield 69 magnetically. connects the lower pole pieces of the permanent magnets 81 and 89 to provide a resultant U-shaped permanent magnet. The cross-sections of the permanent magnets 81 and 89 may be similar to the cross-section of the permanent magnet 89 which is illustrated in Fig. 6.

The magnetic shunt 23 of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 may be replaced by other shunts capable of providing the desired adjustment. For example, in Fig. 8, the permanent magnet I! is associated with two parts 91a and 9lb of a magnetic armature which corresponds to the parts l9a and [9b of Fig. 2, the parts 59a and 59b of Fig. 3 or the parts 65a and 95b of Fig. 4. However, in Fig. 8, the nonmagnetic gap 2| is provided with a magnetic shunt 93 which may be reciprocated relativ to the gap 2| for the purpose of varying the degree of shunting of the gap. To this end the magnetic shunt 93 is positioned between a guide bracket of nonmagnetic material and the portions 9Ia and 9lb of the magnetic armature. A screw 91 has its head secured in the bracket 95 against axial movement of the screw relative to the bracket. For example, the bracket 95 may have a tongue 99 positioned between the head of the screw 95 and a collar l0! which is also secured to the screw. The screw 95 is in threaded engagement with the shunt 93. Consequently, rotation of the screw 95 moves the shunt 93 to vary the extent of bridging of the gap 2| thereby. The shunt 93 maybe given any desired configuration to provide a linear variation in damping asa result of rotation of the screw 91 or any desired relationship between the rate of variation and rotation. of the screw. If desired, a

nonmagnetic spacer may be'interposed between netic spacer may be provided by copper plating themagnetic shunt 93. 'As previously pointed out, radial movement of the damping-magnet assembly relative to the axis of rotation of the disc 3 may be employed either alone or in supplement .to the previously .discussed adjustment for the purpose of adjusting the degree of damping of the disc 3 by th damping-magnet assembly; For example, the loop 53 of Fig. 3 may be mounted for movement radially of the axis of rotation of the disc 3, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11." Although the permanent magnet l1 and the magnet shunt 23 of Fig. 3 may be located within the loop 53, a modified structure is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

Referring to Figs. 1-0 and 11, it will be noted that the bracket I4 has two parallel guide rods I03 and'195 secured thereto. Theloop 53 has secured thereto a holder I01 which is provided with two. openings for, snugly but slidably receiving the rods I03, and I05. In order to mm tate'reciprocation'ofthe holder I 01 along the rods 10-3 and I'05-,-the rod I05 may be provided with threadson its free'end. 'Anut I09 is disposed in threaded en'g'agement with the free end ofthe rod I05. This'nutha's a flange III disposed in an opening" I I3'provided'in the'h'older I01: The body of the nut is received in a slot II5 also provided in the holder. The slot and opening are" closed by a portion of the loop 53. Preferably the fiange II I is biased in a predetermineddirection axial-1y of'the rod I05 by means of a cup shape'dsprin'g III which is located in the opening I I3. Byinspection of Fig. 11, it will be noted that rotation of the screw I09 urges the permanent-magnetdamping assembly I3 axially of the 'i od I05. The damping-magnet assembly may e ciamsea in any desired position by a set screw ljiil or other means. 'In the specific embodimentof Figs. 10am 11, a stirrup clamp is employed. This elampincludesa block I2I having an opening for receivin the rod I05, The block I 2I is positioned in a recess I23 constructed in the holder I'Ij The block I2I has a screw I25 projecting therefrom which has a nut I21 in threaded engagem ent therewith. By rotation of the nut I21, the permanent-magnet damping assembly, may be clamped on the rod I in any desired position of adjustment.

The permanent-magnet damping assembly of Figs. and 11 includes a permanent magnet I29 which corresponds to the permanent magnet, I! of Figs. 2 and 3. This damping magnet is provided with: aholder I3I' which constitutes, in effect, a pair of trousers for receiving the legs of the U-shaped permanent magnet I20. The holder I3 I may be formed, if desired, of an aluminum die casting alloylf A leaf spring I33 may be located between thepermanent magnet I29 and the loop 53 for the purposeoi urging the permanent magnet I29 into firm' engagement with a strut 5 ex ndin be w e h legs of the manent magnet and-forming part of the holder I3I. The holder I3I is secured to the loop 53 in any suitable manner as by machine screws I31.

A second permanent magnet I39 may be associated with the holder I 01 in a manner analogous to the asso-ciation of the permanent magnet I29 with the holder Isl. However, if a single permanent magnet sufiices for the damping magnet assembly, the member I39 may be formed of magnetically soft irori or steel for the purpose of serving as a magnetic armature for the permaen ma ne 1 It will be noted that movement of the damping magnet assembly along the rods I03 and I05 in a direction radial to the axis of rotation of the disc 3 varies the torque arm of the force developed by the damping-magnet assembly. In addition, such movement varies the rate of move ment cf the, portion of the disc 3 which is in the magnetic field supplied with magnetic flux by he; pe manent. ma net AS the damping" magnet; assemblylis moved towards the axis of mason o e dis: t n these a n tend o p at e edac ion in the damping torque develope b d-amninsrmes assembly- Conseguently, by manipulation of the nut I00, the damping torque maybe accurately adjusted.

If it is desired'to remove the damping-magnet assembly from the supporting structure I of the difiea ion. .l i re e in. Figs; J10 n the screws I5, may be removed" This permits the m insr sne as em ly nc ud n t b a I4 *to be removed from the associated watthour meter. Such removal does not destroy the calibration obtained by manipulation 'of thev nut [09,:

1. In a damping magnet assembly, a permanent magnet unit having arpair of pole faces disposed in a common plane; a magnetic armature having a substantially nonmagnetic ap dividing the magnetic armature into two magnetic elements magnetically substantially insulated from each other, 'each' of said magnetic elements being spaced from a separate one'of the pole faces to define a magnetic field therebetween, adjustable magnetic means shunting said gap, said means being adjustable for varying the magnetic fiux in said magnetic fields, and magnetic shield means substantially surrounding said magnetic fields and supporting said magnetic armature in operative position relative to the permanent magnet unit.

2. In an instrument having a stator assembly, an electroconductive disc, and means mounting the disc for rotation relative to the stator assembly; a substantially U-shaped permanent magnet disposed on a first side of the disc and having two pole faces of opposite magnetic polarity disposed in a common plane adjacent and substantially parallel toa first face of the disc; a magnetic armature disposed on a second side of the disc and having a nonmagnetic gap dividing. the armature into. two magnetic elements 'magnetically substantially insulated from each other, each of said magnetic elements being spaced from a separate one; of. said pole faces to define a magnetic field therebetween; whereby magnetic em: from a first one of the pole faces crosses the disc to. enter a first one of the magnetic elements', traversesithe gap to enter a second one of the magnetic elements and finally recrosses the disc to'enter. a second one of the pole. faces; adjustable magnetic means shunting said gap, the magnetic armature being located between the magnetic means and the disc, said means being adjustable for varying the magnetic flux in said magnetic fields; magnetic shield means substantially surrounding said'magn'etic fields, said magnetic shield means being secured to said permanent magnet and said magnetic armature for maintaining said permanent magnet in spaced position relative to the magnetic armature; and means securing the magnetic shield means, permanent magnet and magnetic armature to the stator assembly.

3. In a permanent magnet assembly, a permanent magnet, a nonmagnetic'holder for said permanent magnet," a magnetic armature spaced from thepole faces of said permanent magnet for establishing magnetic fields between the pole faces and the-magnetic armature, said'magnetic armature'having" nonmagnetic gap dividing the armature into two magnetically substantially insulated portions each associated with a separate "one of the pole faces, a magnetic shunt for bridging said gap,a fixed magnetic shield secured to the holder and substantially surrounding said magnetic' fields, said'm'agne'tic armature being secured'to themag'n eticshieldwhereby the mag- 11 r netic shield maintains said magnetic armature in fixed operativeposition relativeto the permanent magnet, and screw means extending between the magnetic shield and the magnetic shunt, said screw means being operable for moving the magnetic shunt relative to said gap.

4. In a permanent magnet assembly, a substantially U-shaped permanent magnet, a nonmagnetic holder having a separate opening for eachleg of said permanent magnet, a magnetic shield substantially surrounding the pole face of said permanent magnet, said magnetic shield having ends secured 'to said nonmagnetic holder in spaced relationship relative to each other and to the permanent magnet, said magnetic shield and nonmagnetic holder constituting a substantially closed loop, a magnetic armature, located between said magnetic shield and said pole faces, said magnetic armature being spaced from said pole faces for defining a magnetic field between the magnetic armature and each of said pole faces, nonmagnetic means spacing the magnetic armature from the magnetic shield, the magnetic armature having a nonmagnetic gap dividing the armature into two substantially magnetically insulated portions each associated with a separate one of the pole faces, a magnetic shunt bridging the nonmagnetic gap, and screw means extending between the magnetic shunt and the magnetic shield, said screw means being operable for moving the magnetic shunt to adjust the bridging of the gap thereby.

5. In a permanent magnet assembly, a permanent magnet, a nonmagnetic holder having an opening for receiving the permanent magnet, said holder having a deformable integral portion retaining the permanent magnet in the opening, said portion being deformable from a position permitting entry of the permanent magnet into the opening to a position retaining the permanent magnet in the opening; a magnetic shield substantially surrounding the pole faces of the permanent magnet, and means securing the magnetic shield to the holder, said means com-- prising an integral protuberance on the holder projecting from the holder through an opening in the magnetic shield, the end of said protuberance being deflected over the magnetic shield to secure the magnetic shield to the holder.

6. In a permanent magnet assembly, a permanent magnet, a holder constructed of nonmagnetic deformable material for receiving the permanent magnet, said holder engaging a small portion only of the surface on one side of the permanent magnet, said material and the size of said portion being selected to permit pressure exerted on the permanent magnet relative to the holder to deform the holder until the permanent magnet is accurately located relative to the holder.

7. A damping magnet assembly for damping rotation of an electroconductive disc, said magnet assembly comprising a U-shaped permanent magnet, and a magnetic armature spaced from the pole faces of the permanent magnet to define a magnetic field between the magnetic armature and each of said pole faces within which an electroconductive disc'may be mounted for rotation; an electroconductive, nonmagnetic holder having an opening for receiving the permanent magnet; said holder including a unitary strut positioned between the legs of the permanent magnet and having a first deformable portion engaging a small area of the permanent magnet for preventing passage of the permanent magnet in one 12 direction through the opening, and a second deformable unitary portion cooperating with the first deformable portion for preventing movement of the permanent magnet from the holder; a magnetic strap having spaced ends associated with the holder, said holder having deformable portions positioned to prevent movement of the strap relative to, the holder, said magnetic strap and theholder constituting a loop substantially surrounding the magnetic armature; nonmagnetic means supporting and spacing the magnetic armature from the magnetic strap; said magnetic armature having a nonmagnetic gap dividing the armature into two portions each associated with a separate one of said pole faces and magnetically substantially insulated from each other, amagnetic disc for shunting said nonmagnetic gap, and screw means supported by the magnetic strap for moving the magnetic disc along the axisof said disc foradjusting the strengths ofthe magnetic fields. V

8. In an instrument, asupporting structure; a bracket detachably secured to the supporting structure, said bracket including guide means projecting therefrom, a magnet assembly comprising a permanent magnet, and means cooperating with the permanent magnet for defining an air gap supplied with magnetic flux by said permanent magnet, said magnet assembly and guide means having interfitting parts in slidable engagement for guiding the magnet assembly along the guide means for adjustment, and screw means for moving said magnet assembly along said guide means to adjust the position thereof relative to the supporting structure, whereby the bracket and magnet assembly may be removed and replaced as a unit relative to the supporting structure without destroying the adjustment of the magnet assembly. 1

9. In a meter, an electroconductive disc, a supporting structure, means mounting the disc for rotation relative to the supporting structure, a bracket detachably secured to the supporting structure, said bracket including a pair of spaced, parallel guide members projecting therefrom, a magnet assembly comprising a permanent magnet, and means cooperating with the permanent magnet for establishing a magnetic field Within which the disc is mounted for rotation, said magnet assembly having a pair of spaced openings each positioned and proportioned for receiving snugly and slidably a separate one of the guide members, and screw means connecting said magnet assembly and one of said guide members, said screw means being operable for moving said magnet assembly along said guide members.

10. In a meter, an electroconductive disc, a supporting structure, means mounting the disc for rotation relative to the supporting structure, a bracket detachably secured to the supporting structure, said bracket including a pair of spaced, parallel guide members projecting therefrom, a magnet assembly comprising a permanent magnet, and means cooperating with the permanent magnet for establishing a magnetic field within which the discis mounted for rotation, said magnet assemblyhavin'g a pair of spaced openings each positioned and proportioned for receiving snugly and slidably a separate one of the guide members, and screw means connecting said magnet assembly and one of said guide members, said screw means being operable for moving said magnet assembly along a said guide members, said screw means comprising screw threads .onone of said guide members, a nut in threaded engagement with said screw threads, said nut and said magnet assembly having interfitting parts permitting rotation of the nut about its axis relative to the magnet assembly, and preventing axial movement therebetween, and spring means biasing the nut in a predetermined direction along said axis relative to the magnet assembly.

11. In a magnet assembly, a permanent mag- I net unit comprising a pair of legs having their adjacent surfaces inclined relative to each other, a holder for said permanent magnet, a wedge member engaging said surfaces at points of differing magnetic potential, and means urging said wedge in a direction relative to the holder such that the wedge forces the permanent magnet into firm engagement with the holder, said wedge comprising magnetic material having a temperature coefilcient of permeability selected to provide a predetermined temperature correction for said permanent magnet unit.

12. The method of constructing a permanent magnet assembly which comprises inserting the legs of a U-shaped permanent magnet into trousers of deformable material, placing a magnetic shield substantially around the permanent magpole faces to define a magnetic field therebetween, a loop substantially surrounding said magnetic fields, said loop having a first section of major extent constructed of soft magnetic material and a second section of minor extent constructed of nonmagnetic material connecting the ends of the soft magnetic material, a first one of said units being secured to the first section and a second one of the units being secured to the sec-' end section.

1a. In a permanent magnet assembly, a permanent magnet unit having a pair of pole faces disposed in a common plane, a magnetic armature unit having a substantially nonmagnetic gap dividing the magnetic armature into two magnetic elements magnetically substantially insulated from each other, each of the magnetic elements being spaced from a separate one of the pole faces to define a magnetic field therebetween, a loop substantially surrounding said magnetic fields, said loop being constructed sub stantially of soft magnetic material, means securing said units to said loop, a magnetic shunt located between said magnetic armature unit and the loop for shunting magnetic flux across said gap, and screw means extending between the magnetic shunt and the loop for adjusting the magnetic shunt relative to the magnetic armature unit. r

15. In a permanent magnet assembly, a permanent magnet unit having a pair of pole faces disposed in a common plane, a magnetic armature unit having a substantially non-magnetic gap dividing the magnetic armature into two magnetie elements magnetically substantially insulated from each other, each of the magnetic elements being spaced from a separate one of the pole faces to define a magnetic field therebetween, a leap substantially surrounding said magnetic fields, a soft magnetic shunt for shunting magnetic fiux, said magnetic armature unit being located substantially between the magnetic shunt and the pole faces of the permanent magnet.

THONIAS D. BARNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

